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Serum progranulin: A potential marker of SLE activity
Nancy S Wahba1, Yasser A Zeitoun1, Dina A Soliman1
1Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo Egypt.
The Egyptian Journal of Immunology
|January 17, 2026
Summary
Progranulin (PGRN) shows elevated levels in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, correlating with disease activity and organ damage. This suggests PGRN is a potential biomarker for assessing SLE progression and severity.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Assessing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity presents challenges for clinicians and patients.
- Emerging evidence suggests progranulin (PGRN) plays a role in SLE pathogenesis, indicating its potential as a disease activity marker.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of progranulin (PGRN) in SLE pathogenesis.
- To determine the association between serum PGRN levels and SLE disease activity and organ damage.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 50 SLE patients, 20 patients with other autoimmune diseases, and 20 healthy controls.
- Quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure serum PGRN concentrations.
Main Results:
- Serum PGRN levels were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to both non-SLE autoimmune disease patients and healthy controls.
- PGRN levels positively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 24-hour urine protein, SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI)-2k, and SLICC/ACR Damage Index (SDI).
- A negative correlation was observed between serum PGRN and C3, C4, and hemoglobin levels.
Conclusions:
- Serum progranulin (PGRN) is significantly elevated in SLE patients.
- PGRN levels correlate with key indicators of SLE disease activity and organ damage.
- Serum PGRN shows promise as a valuable biomarker for monitoring SLE activity.
